Autonomous Docking System for Assembly and Reconfiguration in Space for Small Satellites

As the number of orbiting satellites has rapidly increased in the last few years, the need of space elements that can perform autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers with other orbiting elements for different application such as self-assembly and reconfiguration in space are become more pressing. The TAMARIW project is intended to demonstrate such capability for small satellites. This paper describes the project and the modules being developed to realize its objectives at the time of writing. It will also present the technologies and systems intended to be used for performing safe autonomous undocking/docking maneuvers. Additionally, the testing platforms being built in which these proposed technologies and modules are tested and verified will be explained and outlined

Data Compression Methods for On-Board Software Updates for the Innocube Satellite

The main objective of InnoCube is to show the feasibility of the following three novel systems: EPISODE: SDR-GNSS for CubeSats (antenna, FPGA, SKITH pcb & software) SKITH: wireless satellite bus & protocol WALL#E: battery as supporting structure Innocube consists of 7 different computing nodes which are connected by our novel wireless satellite bus. As having that many nodes presents a challenge in case of an in-orbit software update, we explored various methods for compression and data reduction in order to minimize the time required for software uploads

The TAMARIW Mission: A Pioneering CubeSat Rendezvous and Docking Experiment

TAMARIW consists of two 3U satellites that will be launched in a docked state as a single 6U. Each side houses identical components, which enable them to act independently, once seperated. The mission is planned for a 2025 launch

InnoCube - Preparing the Fully Wireless Satellite Data Bus for Launch

The Innovative CubeSat for Education (InnoCube) mission is a technology demonstrator cubesat mission relying on a fully wireless data-bus, set to launch in November 2024. This paper will discuss the mission objectives, design and implementation of the InnoCube mission with an emphasis on the wireless data bus. The mission is a collaborative project between the University of Wuerzburg and the Technische Universität Berlin in Germany. The mission objectives are to showcase the viability of a fully wireless data-bus for intra-satellite communication onboard cubesats and satellites in general, to provide a platform for testing and validating these new technologies, and to provide an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the design and operation of a cubesat mission. The design of the InnoCube mission includes a 3U cubesat bus including the avionics, the wireless data-bus, and a suite of payloads provided by the TU Berlin. The wireless data bus is based on a time-division multiple access protocol and will enable the cubesat’s subsystems to communicate within the satellite, relying only on wireless means of communication. InnoCube will provide valuable insights and data concerning the feasibility of a wireless data bus for space applications, which can be especially beneficial to larger satellites and their associated large data harness. The mission will be operated from the Technische Universität Berlin and will be launched in 2024. Firstly, the paper will give an overview of the design of the satellite’s subsystems including the additional payloads. Then, the technology used in the wireless bus will be described. Special emphasis will be given to the integration and testing of the wireless bus before launch. This paper will also discuss the challenges associated with the InnoCube mission, such as the need for robust communication protocols, the need for reliable power sources, and the need for reliable redundancy control schemes. Additionally, the paper will discuss the potential applications of the technology demonstrated by the InnoCube mission along with their advantages and disadvantages compared to a traditional data harness. Finally, the paper will discuss the potential benefits and open topics for future missions using wireless technology for intra-satellite communication as demonstrated by the InnoCube mission

An Update on the Virtual Mission Control Room

In 2021 we presented the Virtual Mission Control Room (VMCR) on the verge from fun educational project to testing ground for remote cooperative mission control. Since then, we successfully participated in ESA\u27s 2022 campaign New ideas to make XR a reality , which granted us additional funding to improve the VMCR software and conduct usability testing in cooperation with the chair of human-computer-interaction. In this paper and the corresponding poster session we give an update on the current state of the project, the new features and project structure. We explain the changes suggested by early test users and ESA to make operators feel more at home in the virtual environment. Subsequently, our project partners present their first suggestions for improvements to the VMCR as well as their plans for user testing. We conclude with lessons learned and and a look ahead into our plans for the future of the project

Creating a Setup to Assess the Use of Virtual Reality for Mission Control

This paper describes a work in progress. We are preparing our first cubesat mission, InnoCube, which we plan to launch in spring 2023. We are also in the process of moving the whole chair to another building, and creating a new mission control room. We take this as an opportunity to try and compare some novel approaches, that might make the work of the ground team easier. Our mission, InnoCube, is designed to test a “skip the harness (skith)” approach, which means the system is comprised of multiple autonomous computing nodes communicating wirelessly with each other. Each of these nodes is running an operating system instance of Rodos (Real time Onboard Dependable Operating System). As we are going to launch at least 16 computers within our 3U cubesat, it will create a lot of telemetry to keep an eye on. Hence, we set out to create an environment that allows us to explore and compare different ways to represent all this data, in order to give human operators a good view, of what is happening, without overwhelming them. We aim to find out whether the possibilities of a virtual environment help or hinder operators in their work, and if, which of the virtual representations facilitate understanding of complex data. In this paper we will describe the design and technologies we employ to build two systems: the regular mission control room featuring displays and standard human computer interfaces, and a virtual representation created in Unity, accessible via VR headset, in which operators are free to move around and interact using gestures. We explain how we work with Rodos and the Corfu framework, to derive the data to be displayed from the on-board-software and which representations we create with it. We depict the ways the components of the system interact and which measurements we will attempt, but the usability research itself will take place after the conference, when the integration is complete and is likely to be the topic of a later paper

Design and Development of an Active Magnetic Docking System for Small Satellites

Applications such as self-assembly and reconfiguration in space, on-orbit servicing and refueling, debris and retired elements removal are examples of future space missions that will require space objects that can perform autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers with other orbiting elements. To demonstrate such capability for small satellites, the TAMARIW project is intended to develop two identical 3U CubeSats with autonomous docking systems. These satellites are scheduled to be launched by the end of the first quarter of 2026 to perform several undocking/docking maneuvers in space at predefined relative distances. In addition, the standardization and partial autonomy of the satellite modules will be tested. In case of a failure detected in one satellite, a Recovery and Takeover Protocol can be initiated. In this protocol, the other satellite can send commands to the actuators and receive sensors information directly from the recovered satellite over wireless connection. Developing an autonomous docking system for small satellites that can guarantee safe automated docking process is very challenging. Small satellites have strict limitations in mass and volume which result in limited power and maneuvering capability. Also, the limited volume restricts the use of complex mechanisms for berthing and docking operations. Magnetic docking systems provides a very good solution to overcome these problems since it can help in both capturing and alignment process to perform close range docking maneuvers without the need of using the propulsion system of the satellite which is difficult to utilize in close proximity. One important problem with using such a system is the effect of the disturbance torque that can generate due to the interaction of the magnetic field of the docking system with the magnetic field of the Earth. Furthermore, the heat dissipation problem needs to be thoroughly analyzed. This paper will describe the magnetic docking module being developed. The mechanical and electrical designs of the active magnetic docking system will be explained. The latching mechanisms intended to be developed and tested will be outlined. The guidance and docking control subsystem and the docking control strategy being developed will be described. Additionally, a thermal analysis of the guidance and docking control subsystem will be presented

InnoCube — a wireless satellite platform to demonstrate innovative technologies

A new innovative satellite mission, the Innovative CubeSat for Education (InnoCube), is addressed. The goal of the mission is to demonstrate “the wireless satellite”, which replaces the data harness by robust, high-speed, real-time, very short-range radio communications using the SKITH (SKIpTheHarness) technology. This will make InnoCube the first wireless satellite in history. Another technology demonstration is an experimental energy-storing satellite structure that was developed in the previous Wall#E project and might replace conventional battery technology in the future. As a further payload, the hardware for the concept of a software-based solution for receiving signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) will be developed to enable precise position determination of the CubeSat. Aside from technical goals this work aims to be of use in the teaching of engineering skills and practical sustainable education of students, important technical and scientific publications, and the increase of university skills. This article gives an overview of the overall design of the InnoCube